Three-speed wipers

[Seppi72]

At what time in the S30 run did the change occur from 2-speed to 3-speed wipers? I, frankly, wasn't even aware that there were 3-speed wipers as the only S30s I've ever been in are '72s, which AFAIK have the 2-speed version.

The reason I ask is because a local friend has a problem with his combination switch and it's of the 3-speed variety. His problem (so far) is that the headlights don't work. We can get them to work if I plug in a switch from my '72. I'm testing the continuity in his switch, but don't have any results yet.

However, it's more complicated than it appears. His chassis is HLS30-143954(stamped in the firewall), which tells me it is a mid-'73 car. However, it has a dashboard with a VIN in the low 41000s, which would be from a mid-'71 car. And then he has this 3-speed wiper combination switch. The switch has a 3x3 square multi-connector box in addition to all the usual single-contact connectors. Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera this weekend to take a photo.

For now, I'll settle for knowing when the 3-speed switch went into the cars. Later, I might need some troubleshooting assistance.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Seppi72

[MikeW]

The intermittent wiper switch was added for the '73 model year. How did you manage to plug in your '72 switch? As I recall the earlier connectors are 2x4 (8 wires) and the 3x3 (9 wires) connector is needed for the extra switch position.

If the headlights don't work you can repair the switch itself. I posted some instructions a while back. Here it is: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17688

A number of people have had good results with this.

[Zs-ondabrain]

The earlier models are 2x3 (6-pin connectors) The additional 3 wires are for the intermittant wipers and the 2nd wire on the washer fluid, which activates the wipers when the fluid button is pushed.

The top switch consists of 4 wires. the 2 green based wires are for the parking lights and the red and white (or red and black,it varies) are for the headlight switch. Check the switch with an ohms meter to see if the switch is working. Also check for power on the larger gauge red or white wire.

Have fun.

Dave.

[Seppi72]

Dave and Mike:

Firstly, we were able to check the operationality of the car's headlights using my '72 switch simply because the H/L wires are not part of the multi-connector plug, although the parking lights are. The R and WR wires for the H/Ls connect to the dash harness using individual "barrel" connectors ( I think that's what they are called). We thus proved that the original switch was the source of the problem.

I took the switch home with me last night and used your R&R technique, Mike. The contacts were very dirty and one was pitted. I cleaned them with 400 grit paper (the finest I had at home) and after rocker reversal and reassembly, there is continuity when the switch contacts are engaged. I'm going to try it out in my buddy's car this afternoon as soon as the shop owner gets there to sit on his arse.:cheeky:

Don't get me wrong, the shop owner is a great guy and he's the fellow who's doing both the rebuild bodywork on my original owner '72 as well as whatever repair work will be needed on my recently-crashed '72. It's just that at age 63, he mostly spends the weekends in his shop waiting for friends and buddies to come calling so we can all shoot the breeze. In fact, my wife and I make a point of stopping by his shop for 30-60 minutes every Saturday after our late morning breakfast in town following our workouts at the YMCA.

However, getting back to the problem at hand, I'm sort of blown away that a dash having a '71 VIN has a wiring harness from '73 or later. That seems lke someone went to a lot of trouble for very little gain.:stupid:

[Zs-ondabrain]

I never said that you could'nt check his lights with your switch. I rebuild combo and Turn signals on the side. Look at the pictures below.

If the 240Z in question still overheats the fuses and switch, maybe it's time to get one of my upgrade harness's??? Maybe. write me or PM me.

Dave.

This is 3/4 of my switch stock. In total, I own over 80 pounds of switches from 69' to 78'. Need spare parts??

[MikeW]

I never said that you could'nt check his lights with your switch.

I'm the one who questioned that; he was replying to me. I'd forgotten that the lights weren't part of the connector.

[Zs-ondabrain]

It's cool, I just wanted to let him know that I understood what he did.

Dave.